Andy Shankland
Encyclopedia
Andrew John "Andy" Shankland (born 8 April 1964) is an English
former footballer who played 29 league and cup games in the Football League
for Port Vale
between 1981 and 1986. During this time the club were twice promoted out of the Fourth Division
. He was forced to retire due to an ankle injury, and became a window cleaner
.
, graduated through the Port Vale
youth team to make his debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers
in a League Cup
match on 28 October 1981. He scored his first senior goal three days later, in a 2–1 win over Hull City
at Vale Park
. He finished 1981–82
with thirteen appearances to his name.
He signed as a professional in March 1982, and played three games in 1982–83
, as the "Valiants" won promotion out of the Fourth Division
under John McGrath. He played seven Third Division
and one League Cup game in 1983–84
, as McGrath was replaced by John Rudge
.
Shankland suffered with ankle
troubles throughout his career. He was restricted to just three appearances in the promotion-winning 1985–86
campaign, though found the net in a 3–1 win over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground
on 8 March. After two goals in a total of 29 appearances, he was given a free transfer in May 1986, but was forced to retire from football anyway due to an ankle injury sustained in a collision with an opposition goalkeeper; he was 22 years old.
business. A fall from a ladder in 2003 led to a broken ankle, which developed complications, eventually resulting in him having part of his leg amputated
. He suffered numerous other medical problems, and required a benefit dinner at Vale Park
, organized by former footballers to raise £20,000, which went towards paying for a new prosthetic leg.
His father died when he was nine years old, his mother died when he was eleven, and he lost a brother in a car crash. He has two children.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer who played 29 league and cup games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
between 1981 and 1986. During this time the club were twice promoted out of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. He was forced to retire due to an ankle injury, and became a window cleaner
Window cleaner
A window cleaner is a person who maintains the cleanliness of windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces as a profession.-Profession:...
.
Playing career
Shankland, a former apprentice at Stoke CityStoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, graduated through the Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
youth team to make his debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match on 28 October 1981. He scored his first senior goal three days later, in a 2–1 win over Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
. He finished 1981–82
1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1981–82 season was Port Vale's seventieth season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led his team to a seventh place finish, a big improvement on the previous two seasons. Top-scorer Ernie Moss and midfielder Mark...
with thirteen appearances to his name.
He signed as a professional in March 1982, and played three games in 1982–83
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
, as the "Valiants" won promotion out of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
under John McGrath. He played seven Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
and one League Cup game in 1983–84
1983–84 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1983–84 season was Port Vale's seventy-second season of football in the Football League, and first back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his...
, as McGrath was replaced by John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
.
Shankland suffered with ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
troubles throughout his career. He was restricted to just three appearances in the promotion-winning 1985–86
1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...
campaign, though found the net in a 3–1 win over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
on 8 March. After two goals in a total of 29 appearances, he was given a free transfer in May 1986, but was forced to retire from football anyway due to an ankle injury sustained in a collision with an opposition goalkeeper; he was 22 years old.
Personal life
After retiring from the game, Shankland bought a window cleaningWindow cleaner
A window cleaner is a person who maintains the cleanliness of windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces as a profession.-Profession:...
business. A fall from a ladder in 2003 led to a broken ankle, which developed complications, eventually resulting in him having part of his leg amputated
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
. He suffered numerous other medical problems, and required a benefit dinner at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
, organized by former footballers to raise £20,000, which went towards paying for a new prosthetic leg.
His father died when he was nine years old, his mother died when he was eleven, and he lost a brother in a car crash. He has two children.
Honours
with Port Vale- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
third-place promotion winner: 1982–831982–83 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place... - Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
fourth-place promotion winner: 1985–861985–86 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...